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<p>When <strong>festive wreaths</strong> start appearing on doors, you know Christmas is just around the corner. Whether you prefer a traditional wreath or something more unusual, there’s no shortage of ways to decorate your own wreath. We’ve put together some of our favourite ideas below.</p>

<p>When <strong>festive wreaths</strong> start appearing on doors, you know Christmas is just around the corner. Whether you prefer a traditional wreath or something more unusual, there’s no shortage of ways to decorate your own wreath. We’ve put together some of our favourite ideas below.</p>
<h2>Making a wreath: what you’ll need</h2>
<p>To make a wreath, you first need a wreath base. You can buy wireframes or plain polystyrene bases, as well as bases ready-wrapped with artificial foliage.</p>
<p>You will also need glue, florist wire and secateurs, plus the decorations of your choice.</p>
<h2>How to wrap a wreath base</h2>
<p>If you’re using fresh evergreen foliage to wrap your base, cut the foliage into lengths to suit the base – you may need to experiment a bit, but around 15-20cm (6-8in) usually works. Make the foliage into small bundles, and use the florist wire to attach each bundle to the wreath so that it lies flat, covering the base. Work your way around the base, overlapping the bundles until the base is completely covered.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>You can also wrap your base with string, material, coloured paper or anything else that inspires you.</p>
<h2>Ideas for decorating wreaths</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<p>For a simple but very effective wreath, use a single type of evergreen foliage to cover your base, e.g. yew, and decorate it with a large red ribbon bow.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Dust pine-cones with fake snow or spray them silver or gold, and nestle them in amongst evergreen foliage, using florist’s wire to tie them to the base.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Wrap a base in wool and cover it with fluffy pompoms for a fabulously tactile wreath.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>For a spectacular look, use a polystyrene base and smother it with gleaming round Christmas baubles. Glue the baubles on, starting from the inside of the base and working out, using a mix of different-sized and coloured baubles.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Make a snowball wreath with Styrofoam balls in a range of sizes glued to a polystyrene base. For added sparkle, spray lightly with an aerosol adhesive and sprinkle with glitter.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>You can’t have too much of a good thing. Make a tiered wreath by linking two or three wreaths together in a chain using patterned ribbon or material and hang it on the wall or drape it the full length of your door.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Make a dried wreath tying bundles of twigs together for a base, then decorate with pine cones and dried flowers. Spray it snowy white or sparkling silver for frosty appeal.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Celebrate family and friends with a photo wreath. Wrap a polystyrene base in plain or coloured paper, then cover it with your favourite photos to make a memorable display.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Break with tradition and make a square wreath. Tie bundles of twigs to make a square frame, then decorate with ribbons at the corners and wrap it with fairy lights or tinsel.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>We have a fantastic range of wreaths and decorations in our centre. Let us help you brighten up your home this festive season.</p>

Top tips on decorating festive wreaths

<p>These tips of how to <strong>make this Christmas magical</strong> are to inspire you to make the most of the festive season, given what a hard year it has been for everyone around the world. Although 2020 may be a different kind of Christmas to what everyone is used to, it is still important to have some festive fun as much as possible and bring the Christmas spirit to your home, family and friends - even if that is via zoom! Here are our tips to help make some magic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These tips of how to <strong>make this Christmas magical</strong> are to inspire you to make the most of the festive season, given what a hard year it has been for everyone around the world. Although 2020 may be a different kind of Christmas to what everyone is used to, it is still important to have some festive fun as much as possible and bring the Christmas spirit to your home, family and friends - even if that is via zoom! Here are our tips to help make some magic.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Go big on sparkles to make this Christmas magical&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Even if decorating with a lot of sparkle and glitter isn’t usually your thing, why not try it this year? Go big with anything that shimmers from sequin clothes to multi-coloured tinsel, glitter spray your own natural decorations and make everything feel like a sparkly winter wonderland. It might seem over the top, but by Christmas day, those sparkles will make things feel all the more magical.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Make this Christmas magical with a Christmas film&nbsp;</h2>
<p>There is nothing like a festive film to put you in the mood for Christmas. Forget what’s going on in the world, put your feet up, get a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate and snuggle in to watch your favourite festive movie. Love Actually is great for the magic of Christmas, The Grinch that Stole Christmas is both fun and festive or why not watch or Miracle on 34th Street for some old fashioned music in the Christmas spirit.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Make this Christmas magical with handmade cards&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The magic of Christmas is all about giving, so why not start by getting creative and making your own Christmas cards. It doesn't matter if they are paper or cardboard, the recipient will be thrilled that you put the time and effort into making something special for them. Personalise each one, make each a little different and send your love to friends and family at a distance with the personal touch. Why not add some natural decorations, prints or drawings and get the kids involved as well.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Treat yourself to make this Christmas magical&nbsp;</h2>
<p>As you think about gifting others, don’t forget to look after yourself. Take some time for self-care and relaxation. Why not gift yourself with something that you’ve wanted for ages. A new houseplant? That perfect Poinsettia you’ve had your eye on, or the new Fir Tree for the garden. Christmas is for everyone, after all.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Make this Christmas special and visit Santa&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Santa is, of course, still at work this year, so if you have a list, make sure you send it in. Or even better still, visit him and tell him in person what you would love for Christmas!</p>
<p>Visit us in store to feel the magic of Christmas for sparkles to decorate your home with.&nbsp;</p>

Make this Christmas magical

<p>As the cold nights draw in, it’s time to <strong>get warm and cosy indoors</strong>. Create your own little haven with these essential winter accessories. At our garden centre in %locations%, you find all kind of interior accessories to make your home feel cosy and warm.</p>

<div>
<p>As the cold nights draw in, it’s time to <strong>get warm and cosy indoors</strong>. Create your own little haven with these essential winter accessories. At our garden centre in %locations%, you find all kind of interior accessories to make your home feel cosy and warm.</p>
<h2>7 items to make your home cosy this winter</h2>
<h3>1. Candles</h3>
<p>Nothing cheers up a dark winter evening like a few candles. Whether you choose them for their scent or simply for the comforting warm flicker of the flame, a few lit candles placed around a room make everything feel a bit better. Place tea lights in glass holders for a scatter of sparkling light or go for thick, sturdy pillar candles with minimalist appeal.</p>
<h3>2. Wax Melts</h3>
<p>Wax melts are a brilliant invention. They don’t evaporate, so there’s no need to worry about scorching the holder. Simply place a scented wax melt in a holder and use an unscented tea light to warm the wax to the melting point, then relax and enjoy several hours of fragrance. When you extinguish the tea light, the wax will solidify and can be re-used until the fragrance has all diffused out. Remove old wax before putting in a new melt.</p>
<h3>3. Essential oil reed diffusers</h3>
<p>If you’re after a product that will scent your home for weeks, a reed diffuser is what you need. Rattan reeds are placed in a container filled with essential oil so that they absorb the oil and gradually diffuse it out into the air. And they don’t just smell good – they make elegant ornaments too.</p>
<h3>4. Throws</h3>
<p>Give an old sofa a new look or add a touch of luxury with a few throws in soft, snuggly materials – just what you need on a cold winter’s evening. Cosy up under a throw with a cup of hot chocolate and binge-watch your favourite shows.</p>
<h3>5. Cushions</h3>
<p>On a budget and need to brighten up a room? Create your own personal style with a couple of well-chosen cushions. Add a splash of colour to a neutral colour scheme, or pick out a favourite ornament and choose your cushions to tone with it. For a vibrant effect, choose cushions in a complementary colour – lemon yellow looks stunning against dark blue, and acid green brings deep pink shades to life.</p>
<h3>6. Hand lotions and scented soaps</h3>
<p>After a hard day’s work, nothing feels better than soaking away the strains of the day in a hot bath with some delectably scented soap. And when you’ve been out in the garden, pamper your hands with a decadent dose of hand cream.</p>
<h3>7. Indoor plants</h3>
<p>The garden may be slowing down for winter, but you can still have your fill of greenery inside. Indoor plants like begonias, calatheas and crotons have gorgeously coloured foliage all year round. Add a note of seasonal colour with winter-flowering beauties like cyclamens and Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera), plus some ready-potted hyacinths to fill the house with fragrance.</p>
<p>We can all do with a bit of pampering in winter. Indulge yourself with a visit to our centre and choose something special for yourself and your family today.</p>
</div>

7 ways to make your home cosy this winter

<p>When the weather gets cold, <strong>birds</strong> need our help. Finding food gets harder, and they need to eat more to stay warm. Providing food and shelter in winter can make all the difference to your garden’s birds. Here are our top tips to <strong>help birds get through the winter</strong>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When the weather gets cold, <strong>birds</strong> need our help. Finding food gets harder, and they need to eat more to stay warm. Providing food and shelter in winter can make all the difference to your garden’s birds. Here are our top tips to <strong>help birds get through the winter</strong>.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>What to feed birds in winter</h2>
<p>Unlike us, birds don’t have to watch the calories over Christmas. What they need is plenty of oil-rich, high-calorie food to replenish the fat stores that they burn up quickly in cold weather. Sunflower and nyjer seeds are ideal, as are suet balls (remember to take suet balls out of their mesh bags to stop birds getting their feet tangled in the netting).&nbsp; Peanuts are always popular, but make sure to buy good quality unsalted peanuts suitable for birdfeed, as some peanuts contain a chemical that’s toxic to birds.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Once you start feeding birds in winter, it’s important to stick to a routine and keep your feeders topped up. If birds know there’s food available, they’ll keep coming back, and you don’t want them to waste their valuable energy visiting an empty bird feeder.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Keep your birdbaths watered</h2>
<p>Keep birdbaths topped up too. Most birds need to drink twice a day, even in winter, and they also need to clean their feathers regularly to keep them waterproof. In icy weather, it can be hard for birds to find sources of clean water, so check your birdbath regularly to make sure it hasn’t frozen over. A handy tip is to leave a ping pong ball floating in the water. The ball will move about in even the lightest breeze, disturbing the water surface and keeping it from freezing in light frosts. On icy days, you may need to thaw your birdbath with warm water. (Don’t use boiling water, as this can crack stone birdbaths.)</p>
<h2>How to make your garden bird-friendly in winter</h2>
<p>To make your garden more bird-friendly, plant a few evergreen shrubs to provide shelter and protection for small birds in winter. Thorny evergreens like holly and pyracantha are ideal, as their berries provide a ready source of food. Mature ivy is another very bird-friendly plant, with berries for winter food and evergreen leaves for shelter.</p>
<h2>Feeding birds at Christmas</h2>
<p>Want to give your garden birds a treat at Christmas? Here’s what you can and can’t give them from your Christmas dinner table.&nbsp;</p>
<p><u>Do give:</u></p>
<ul>
<li>Small amounts of non-alcoholic fruit cake&nbsp;</li>
<li>Fruit</li>
<li>Unsalted nuts</li>
</ul>
<p><u>Don’t give:</u></p>
<ul>
<li>Any kind of cooking fat (it smears on birds’ feathers and is very hard for them to clean off)</li>
<li>Salty snacks, such as crisps</li>
</ul>
<p>Don’t put out too much food at any one time, as you don’t want to end up with a pile of soggy uneaten food that could attract rats or other pests.</p>
<p>Whatever you’re after, whether it’s bird treats or garden plants, we’ve got everything you need in our centre to help you care for your birds this winter.</p>

How to care for garden birds in winter

<p>It is exciting to <strong>light up your Christmas tree</strong> and really get into the festive celebrations at this time of year. With so very many options to make your Christmas tree sparkle, where do you start? We have put together this guide full of options to help you decide what you would like to do when thinking about how to make your Christmas tree stand out for all of the family to enjoy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is exciting to <strong>light up your Christmas tree</strong> and really get into the festive celebrations at this time of year. With so very many options to make your Christmas tree sparkle, where do you start? We have put together this guide full of options to help you decide what you would like to do when thinking about how to make your Christmas tree stand out for all of the family to enjoy.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Soft glow lights to light up your Christmas tree&nbsp;</h2>
<p>If you would like to create a room with a calming, festive sparkle look for soft glow lights. Usually used white, off white or even very pale pink these lights can decorate a tree with class and style. They work especially well with decorations in one colour, such as silver or lilac and light blue.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Light up your Christmas tree with multi-coloured lights&nbsp;</h2>
<p>In contrast to the peaceful Christmas atmosphere that soft lighting provides, multi-coloured lights create more of a fun, party feel in the room. So if you want to jazz up the tree with lots of colours, find your perfect box of lights which are often in primary colours and twirl them around your tree.</p>
<h2>Singing and dancing lights will light up your Christmas tree</h2>
<p>Why not try some animated, dancing lights to really get the festivities going. Many sets of lights will be available with various settings so your lights can flash in different patterns, but some will also look like they are dancing around your Christmas tree. So much fun!</p>
<h2>Light up your Christmas tree with a pre lighted tree</h2>
<p>If you are short on time or don’t want to untangle the Christmas lights every year, why not invest in a tree with lights already part of the branches? Many different shapes and sizes with colourful or white lights. All you need to do is unpack the tree and plug it in.</p>
<h2>Frosty looking icicle lights will light up your Christmas tree</h2>
<p>Bring the outdoors in and make your tree look like it has winter wonderful icicles hanging from the branches. Most of these are available in white or soft colours and will help to make your home look just like Lapland.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Light up your Christmas tree with LED, solar or battery-powered lights</h2>
<p>When you decide on the type of lights you would like to bring the festivities to your home, remember to consider how you would like to power them. We offer:</p>
<ul>
<li>LED Christmas lights,</li>
<li>Christmas solar power, which is useful for outdoors,</li>
<li>Battery-powered Christmas lights,</li>
</ul>
<p>Battery-powered Christmas lights can be useful when&nbsp;you want to light them up even if you don’t have your tree near an electrical socket. Just make sure you have some spare batteries as well.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Pick your Christmas lights for this year's tree from our Christmas department in store.&nbsp;</p>

Light up your Christmas Tree

<p>Why not do something different with your festive decorations this year?&nbsp; With colourful berries, striking seedheads and fabulous foliage, there’s a wealth of material in your garden to make spectacular decorations. We’ve put together our <strong>top tips to help you bring the outside indoors this holiday season</strong>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Why not do something different with your festive decorations this year?&nbsp; With colourful berries, striking seedheads and fabulous foliage, there’s a wealth of material in your garden to make spectacular decorations. We’ve put together our <strong>top tips to help you bring the outside indoors this holiday season</strong>.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Top tips to bring the outdoors inside this Christmas</h2>
<ol>
<li>
<p>Add a festive touch to your flower arrangements. Combine dried seed heads with fresh flowers, or use them on their own for long-lasting displays. Teasels, honesty, echinacea and ornamental grasses have beautiful seed heads, and red rose-hips and holly berries add a seasonal dash of bright colour. Coloured dogwood stems also make a spectacular addition to flower arrangements.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>To preserve the gorgeous colours of autumn leaves, make up a solution of one part glycerin to two parts water. Cut sprays of leaves when the colours are at their best, tap the cut ends with a hammer to crush them, and stand them in containers filled with the glycerin/water solution for up to a month. Once the glycerin starts to appear on the leaf surfaces, remove the sprays, wipe the leaves and use them to decorate your home. They should last for several months.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>If you want fresh flowers in winter, now’s the time to plant a winter-flowering shrub. Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ flowers from late autumn to spring, bearing clusters of pink flowers with a fabulous fragrance. Cut a few flowering stems and place them in a vase to perfume the whole room.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>If you didn’t get around to planting prepared daffodils or hyacinths in pots indoors in September, buy ready-potted bulbs and put them on a sunny windowsill to give you beautifully scented flowers at Christmas.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Few plants say Christmas like poinsettias, with their spectacular crimson flowers. To keep your poinsettia looking good, protect it from draughts and put it somewhere warm and bright, out of direct sunlight. Don’t overwater it – wait until the surface of the compost is practically dry to the touch before watering.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Save autumn leaves with interesting shapes, like maple or oak. Put them between two sheets of paper and press them under a few heavy books for a couple of weeks until dry. Then spray them silver or gold and scatter them over shelves or use them as table decorations.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Make a change from the traditional Christmas tree this year. A Corkscrew hazel (Corylus contorta) in a pot is like a natural sculpture with its quirky, twisted branches, ideal for hanging baubles. Or why not drape a potted olive tree or standard bay in Christmas lights?&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Get the kids involved in making Christmas pomanders. Tie ribbons around oranges to give them a festive look, then press cloves into the skins and hang the pomanders up to fill the house with fragrance as they dry.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Whether you’re looking for colourful winter plants or traditional Christmas decorations, you’ll find them in our centre. Let us help you make your house spectacular this holiday season.</p>

8 tips to bring the outdoors inside this Christmas

<p>During winter, <strong>brighten up your home with Orchids</strong> to add a splash of colour from the tropics on a&nbsp; grey day. Orchids are great plants to grow indoors all year round and are available in so many different colours, sizes, pots and shapes; it means there is one for everyone to enjoy. There are various types of Orchids, and with a little care and patience, you may even be able to nurture them to flower again after they have finished. Here’s some Orchid growing information to get you started.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During winter, <strong>brighten up your home with Orchids</strong> to add a splash of colour from the tropics on a&nbsp; grey day. Orchids are great plants to grow indoors all year round and are available in so many different colours, sizes, pots and shapes; it means there is one for everyone to enjoy. There are various types of Orchids, and with a little care and patience, you may even be able to nurture them to flower again after they have finished. Here’s some Orchid growing information to get you started.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A bathroom is a great place to brighten up your home wit Orchids</h2>
<p>Orchids love to stand tall on the perfect bathroom shelf or even hang from the shower curtain. Orchids love the humidity meaning you won’t need to water it very often at all, and it won’t need much room on the shelf. Plant it in a pot to your bathroom style, and colour scheme then place it in between your toiletries on a shelf. As you shower, imagine being somewhere tropical.</p>
<h2>Brighten up your home with Orchids and know the varieties&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The most popular Orchids you will find in the shops are Phalaenopsis or 'Moth Orchid’ and the Dendrobium Orchid. This is large because they are easy to put through production and the most stunning and easy for you to grow at home. Phalaenopsis especially is available in many beautiful colours from pink to white and look stunning on any worktop or windowsill.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Know how to look after them to brighten up your home with Orchids&nbsp;</h2>
<ul>
<li>Orchids like humidity and would be happy to enjoy a moisty kind of environment, but in modern homes, this isn’t always the ideal.</li>
<li>Overwatering is one of the main reasons Orchids don’t last as long as they should, and it is better to water once a month than little and often.</li>
<li>If the container is heavy or you can see moisture, don’t water it. If it is light and dry, give it a drink.</li>
<li>Never let it sit in water either.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>Brighten up your home with Orchids in the right level of light&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Orchids do not like direct sunlight, so only place them where they will get indirect light. The plant will get scorched if the sun shines directly onto the leaves and flowers. Find a place where both the light and temperature is consistent throughout the day, without any drafts.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Taking excellent care of your Orchid will mean it can flower for up to 12 weeks and you will even be able to prune it back afterwards to allow it to grow new shoots and reflower again in a few months.&nbsp;</p>
<p>We have a selection of Orchids to choose from in store, and our team are happy to give you advice.&nbsp;</p>

Brighten up your home with Orchids

<p>It is time to <strong>plant Skimmia for winter interest</strong> and keep your garden looking full of colour and berries in the cold months of the year. Skimmia is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves, bright winter berries and then white flowers in late spring. They give a great deal to each season in the garden and also look good in pots and containers plus they can be planted at any time of the year as long as the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged.</p>

<p>It is time to <strong>plant Skimmia for winter interest</strong> and keep your garden looking full of colour and berries in the cold months of the year. Skimmia is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves, bright winter berries and then white flowers in late spring. They give a great deal to each season in the garden and also look good in pots and containers plus they can be planted at any time of the year as long as the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged.</p>
<h2>Find out how to plant Skimmia for winter interest</h2>
<p>Skimmia is available as a male, female or self-fertile plant. To ensure the female grows big beautiful berries in winter you will need to plant both a male and female plant together or make sure the variety you are planting is self-fertile and then it can grow on its own. If you are unsure, we can advise you in the store.&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Another beneficial side to growing Skimmia is that they grow well in full shade, so if you have an area in your garden that you are unsure what will grow in, Skimmia can be a good choice. They can tolerate part shade but not full sun.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Plant into neutral to acidic soils so if you are planting into containers, use some ericaceous compost and although they do grow in alkaline soils make sure it is also full of plenty of organic matter.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>Plant Skimmia for winter interest and take care of them</h2>
<p>Skimmia needs very little care, it really is an all-round easy plant to grow. If you are planting in pots, make sure that the soil doesn't completely dry out as it is growing and during spring and summer, make sure it is given some plant food. If you are growing it outside, give it a mulch and ensure it is watered well when you plant it, as it is establishing and in dry weather.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Plant skimmia for winter interest with other plants&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Skimmia grows well in a woodland style garden due to it enjoying the shade so much. Still, in a pot or container, it is striking planted along with some brightly coloured lime Heucheras, vibrant pink Cyclamen and a variety of Heather. The combination makes a true winter style container.</p>
<h2>Please keep it in shape when you plant Skimmia for winter interest&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Skimmia requires very little pruning but if you do want to keep it in shape, lightly prune it during winter when it is dormant and use the sprigs to decorate your home for Christmas.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Please pick up your Skimmia in store and ask any of our staff for advice.&nbsp;</p>

Plant Skimmia for Winter Interest

<p>Whether you’re harvesting the last of your summer vegetables, tidying up your borders or planting spring bulbs, there’s plenty to do in the garden in November. Make the most of those clear autumn days with our <strong>top 15 November garden jobs</strong>.</p>

<p>Whether you’re harvesting the last of your summer vegetables, tidying up your borders or planting spring bulbs, there’s plenty to do in the garden in November. Make the most of those clear autumn days with our <strong>top 15 November garden jobs</strong>.</p>
<h2>15 garden tips for November</h2>
<ol>
<li>
<p>November is the best month to plant tulip bulbs in pots and borders. There’s still time to plant other spring bulbs like daffodils, crocuses, irises and fritillaries too.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Sow broad beans in the ground or pots, and sow salad leaves on sunny windowsills for winter picking.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Carrots, cabbage and celeriac can all be harvested now. Harvest parsnips after the first frosts, when they will have a sweeter flavour.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Net brassicas like cabbage against pigeons, and stake Brussels sprouts to keep them standing securely, ready for harvesting at Christmas.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Lift dahlias after the first frosts have blackened the foliage. Leave them somewhere cool to dry, then store them in trays, covered with a layer of newspaper or dry compost to stop the tubers drying out.&nbsp; You can do the same for cannas and tuberous begonias.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Clear fallen leaves from lawns and beds.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Mulch beds with compost or well-rotted farmyard manure to improve the soil structure. Put down planks to work off, to avoid compacting the soil.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Put pots on pot feet to stop them getting waterlogged. In cold areas, wrap pots with fleece or bubble wrap to insulate them against frost damage.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Prune roses by a third to prevent wind rock.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Keep cutting back faded perennials, but leave some seed heads for the birds and to provide winter interest in the borders.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Cut old hellebore leaves off at ground level. This reduces the spread of hellebore leaf spot and also makes the winter flowers easier to see.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>November’s a good time to prune apple and pear trees (but leave plum trees alone until midsummer). Prune blackcurrants, redcurrants, whitecurrants and gooseberries now too, removing deadwood and thinning out congested branches to achieve an open goblet shape. Prune autumn-fruiting raspberries, cutting all the old canes to ground level.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Leave ivy over winter, as the flowers and berries are a valuable food source for both birds and bees. It also provides shelter for overwintering ladybirds and butterflies. Don’t worry about it getting out of control, as you can cut it back in spring.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Clean your bird feeders and fill them up. Oil-rich, high energy foods like suet balls, peanuts and sunflower hearts will help birds get through the winter. Keep birdbaths topped up too.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Aerate your lawn by spiking it with a garden fork or a hollow tine aerator. Cut the lawn on a high setting to see it through winter.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Whether you’re pruning trees, planting spring bulbs or planning next year’s vegetable garden, you’ll find everything you need in our centre, so come and visit us soon.</p>
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15 garden tips for November

<p>A new month means a new <strong>houseplant of the month: Sansevieria</strong>. It’s a fact that indoor plants can help reduce feelings of stress. So it makes sense to choose one that’s easy to grow. If you’re new to growing indoor plants and looking for a houseplant that’s hard to kill, Sansevieria is the plant for you.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A new month means a new <strong>houseplant of the month: Sansevieria</strong>. It’s a fact that indoor plants can help reduce feelings of stress. So it makes sense to choose one that’s easy to grow. If you’re new to growing indoor plants and looking for a houseplant that’s hard to kill, Sansevieria is the plant for you.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>About Sansevieria</h2>
<p>This striking evergreen succulent goes by a variety of different names, including mother-in-law’s tongue, African spear plant, and snake plant, thanks to the snakeskin-like patterns on the leaves. With its dramatic upright shape, it’s ideal for small spaces and fits in well with contemporary décor. Trivia fans will be delighted to know that Sansevieria is from the same plant family as asparagus. It’s not edible, though; in fact, it’s toxic, so keep it out of reach of pets and toddlers.</p>
<p>In the 1980s, an often-quoted NASA study identified Sansevieria as one of the best indoor plants for removing toxins such as formaldehyde from the air. It’s since been established that you’d need an awful lot of indoor plants to replicate NASA’s results. Nevertheless, with its bold architectural shape, Sansevieria brings an atmosphere of elegance to any home, and it certainly does its bit towards keeping the air clean.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Sansevieria varieties</h2>
<p>There are more than 70 different varieties of Sansevieria, but here are the ones you’re most likely to come across.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong>Variegated snake plant</strong> (Sansevieria trifasciata var. laurentii) has long, flat, upright leaves, attractively variegated in dark and light green and edged with creamy yellow. It can get to over 1m (3.5ft) tall, so makes a great focal point in a large pot.</p>
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<p><strong>Sansevieria zeylanica</strong> is tall and upright, with snakeskin-mottled dark and light green leaves. Like the variegated snake plant, it can reach over 1m (3.5ft) tall.</p>
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<p><strong>Sansevieria cylindrica</strong> has long, upright tubular leaves, and can grow to around 60-70cm (2-2.5ft) tall.</p>
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</ul>
<h2>How to grow Sansevieria indoors</h2>
<p>As well as coping well with a bit of neglect, Sansevierias are generally pest- and disease-free, making them the ideal plant for new indoor gardeners or those with not much time on their hands. Here are a few tips to keep your Sansevieria looking good.</p>
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<p>Sansevieria plants prefer bright but indirect light, although they will cope with most conditions, including low light levels. They will grow faster in strong light, but hot afternoon sun will scorch the leaves.</p>
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<p>The golden rule of growing Sansevieria is to avoid overwatering. During the plant’s growing period, between spring and autumn, allow at least two weeks between waterings, and only water once the compost has almost dried out. In the winter, the plants need even less water – once every 4-6 weeks should be fine.&nbsp; Water the soil only, taking care not to get any water into the centre of the leaf cluster, as this is likely to cause the plant to rot.</p>
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<p>Keep the room temperature above 10ºC (50ºF) in winter.</p>
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</ul>
<p>Our great range of indoor plants looks good all year round, so visit us soon and pick out the perfect plant for your home.</p>

Houseplant of the month: Sansevieria

<p>Lighting adds something extra-special to every garden. Whether it’s making long summer evenings even longer or adding festive cheer to dark winter nights, with a few well-placed garden lights, it’s easy to create the mood you want. With so many different types of <strong>garden lighting</strong> available, we’ve put together a few ideas on how to use them.</p>

<p>Lighting adds something extra-special to every garden. Whether it’s making long summer evenings even longer or adding festive cheer to dark winter nights, with a few well-placed garden lights, it’s easy to create the mood you want. With so many different types of <strong>garden lighting</strong> available, we’ve put together a few ideas on how to use them.</p>
<h2>All about solar lighting</h2>
<p>The days when your solar garden lights would work for a few months and then give up are over. Solar lighting technology has come on by leaps and bounds in recent years. Most solar garden lights use LED bulbs, which need little power to produce a very respectable amount of light. The bulbs last a long time, and with modern photovoltaic technology, batteries charge well even on cloudy days. Solar lighting systems are flexible and easy to install, letting you redesign your garden lighting to your heart’s content.</p>
<h2>How to create effects with garden lighting</h2>
<p>There’s no end to the effects you can create with your garden lighting. Here are our top 5 tips to get you started.</p>
<h2>1. Highlight structures with fairy lights</h2>
<p>Strings of fairy lights are perfect for highlighting a pergola or archway or wrapping around tree branches to create a sparkling night-time silhouette. A patio or seating area strung with fairy lights has an instant party atmosphere.</p>
<h2>2. Create atmosphere with bare light bulbs&nbsp;</h2>
<p>These are light bulbs with a twist - solar lights in the shape of bare light bulbs, but with a sparkling string of LEDs in place of an element. They’re available with individual solar panels, making them easy to clip or hook on to branches or structures, with no cabling to get in the way. You can also buy strings of bulbs, perfect for recreating the feel of a rustic taverna or beach cottage, evoking memories of special holidays.</p>
<h2>3. Light the way with path lights</h2>
<p>Path lights have beams that focus downwards, lighting the ground around them. Space individual spike-mounted path lights along a path to light your way, or to guide your guests to where the party is happening!&nbsp;</p>
<h2>4. Highlight features with spotlights</h2>
<p>Spotlights have a narrow beam, ideal for highlighting a special feature in your garden. For a dramatic effect, use them to light a statue, sculpture or decorative pot from below, or cross-light a feature with a spotlight on either side.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>5. Add a gentle glow with accent lights</h2>
<p>Accent lights have a wider beam than spotlights, making them good for spreading a glow of light over an area. They’re not as bright as spotlights, but this means they can stay on for longer. Place a few accent lights around a patio or seating area for a warm, welcoming effect, then add a few strings of fairy lights for some extra sparkle.</p>
<p>We have a great range of garden lighting systems in our centre, so visit us soon and light up your garden this year.</p>

5 ways to light up your garden

<p>Wondering how to <strong>help your garden birds</strong> during the colder months? As the weather changes and many trees become bare, gardens get tidied up, and berries start to disappear. It is more important than ever to make sure your outside space is home to wildlife. Birds will need to store fat to get through the winter, and there are many things you can do to help your feathered garden friends. Here are some tips for a bird-friendly garden.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Wondering how to <strong>help your garden birds</strong> during the colder months? As the weather changes and many trees become bare, gardens get tidied up, and berries start to disappear. It is more important than ever to make sure your outside space is home to wildlife. Birds will need to store fat to get through the winter, and there are many things you can do to help your feathered garden friends. Here are some tips for a bird-friendly garden.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Make a birdhouse to help your garden birds&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Get creative and have some fun making a birdhouse. Reuse old teapots, books, or wood to build a place of shelter and for nesting in the seasons to come. If you haven’t got materials to recycle, why not try a DIY bird box kit or find one ready-made. Either way, your birds will thank you for it, and you will enjoy watching them check out their potential new home in the garden. Make sure it is placed away from where predators such as cats can get to it.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Help your garden birds with supplementary bird food</h2>
<p>While the key to a thriving garden is plenty of diversity, planting for year-round interest and thinking about natural food sources for birds is the most important thing to do, supplementary feeding is still essential, and it is advised to try and help out. If you are in an urban or rural setting, feeding the birds is much needed and will help to keep their energy levels up. There are many types of food available from seed to fat balls and various size and style feeders as well. Keep them away from predators and enjoy watching the birds come in for a feed.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Provide natural shelter to help your garden birds&nbsp;</h2>
<p>One of the best ways to help birds through the winter, along with food, is to provide plenty of shelters.</p>
<ul>
<li>Plant evergreen shrubs and native evergreen trees so they have plenty of warmth and protection as the weather gets colder.</li>
<li>Deciduous trees and shrubs are still important, so a mix if ideal.</li>
<li>Even leave an area in your garden untouched.</li>
<li>Allow the grass to grow, and leaves to pile up.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>Help your garden birds with diversity in the garden&nbsp;</h2>
<p>For all garden wildlife, it is imperative to create a garden full of life to create a biodiverse space. This means different plants for all year interest, homes for hedgehogs and birds, ponds for amphibians and water for drinking and bathing as well—the more diverse the garden, the more insects and the more wildlife. Creating a thriving space will also give you so much interest to enjoy in the garden.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Visit our pet department for everything you need to help your garden birds this year.&nbsp;</p>

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